Game Thread: Hawks vs Bucks – Complete Game Day Info (Starters, Injury Report, Series Notes, etc.)
By David Menze
Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images
Atlanta and Milwaukee lock horns for the final time this season as the hometown Hawks try for the four-game series sweep against the visiting Bucks on Friday.
Milwaukee has lost seven straight on the road, and that streak could continue tonight as they will be without dynamic point guard Brandon Jennings (sore Achilles) and shot blocking center Larry Sanders (sore lower back), as they’re both trying to recover from injuries before the playoffs start.
J.J. Redick will get the start at shooting guard with Monta Ellias shifting to the point. Rookie John Henson will likely start for Sanders.
The Bucks clinched the eighth and final slot in the East and will play first-place Miami in the opening round.
Atlanta currently sits in sixth place, a half game behind fifth-seeded Chicago (who will be playing in Toronto). The Hawks could move up to #5 tonight with a win at home and a Bulls loss on the road.
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Quick Facts
Who?: Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks
What?: Series Finale (Game #80, Home Game #40)
Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)
When?: Friday, April 12, 2013 – 7:30 PM (ET)
How?: SportSouth HDTV / 680 AM & 93.7 FM
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Projected Starting Lineups:
Atlanta Hawks:
PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Devin Harris | SF: Kyle Korver | PF: Josh Smith | C: Al Horford
Milwaukee Bucks:
PG: Monta Ellis | SG: J.J. Redick | SF: Marquis Daniels | PF: Ersan Ilyasova | C: John Henson
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Injury/Inactive Players Report
Atlanta Hawks: Zaza Pachulia (Achilles surgery) and Lou Williams (torn right ACL) are out.
Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings (sore Achilles) and Larry Sanders (sore back) are out.
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Current Records/Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold
Records: Atlanta Hawks (43-36) … Milwaukee Bucks (37-41)
Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Won 1 / HOME: Lost 2 / ROAD: Won 1 … Milwaukee Bucks –> OVERALL: Lost 2 / HOME: Won 1 / ROAD: Lost 7
Home/Away Records: Hawks are (24-15) at home …Bucks are (16-22) away.
Atlanta Hawks: Cold. The Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak with a 124-101 smack down in Philadelphia on Wednesday, but dropped the previous two straight at home in Atlanta.
Milwaukee Bucks: Cold. Milwaukee will make the playoffs despite their sub .500 record but will surely get swept in the first round by Miami — especially since they’ve lost the last seven in a row on the road. To make matters worse, the Bucks will be without Brandon Jennings and Larry Sanders tonight. Looks like 8 straight!
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Season/Past Season Series
Atlanta goes for a season sweep of Milwaukee as the Hawks host the Bucks for the second time this year in the last of four meetings between the clubs. Al Horford is averaging 24.3 points and 11.0 rebounds against Milwaukee this season (two double-doubles), while Josh Smith is putting up 16.7 points and 12.7 rebounds (two double-doubles) and Jeff Teague 19.3 points and 9.3 assists in three games against the Bucks this year. The Hawks have won three-in-a-row against the Bucks at Philips Arena, with Milwaukee’s last win coming on 11/10/10 (108-92). The all-time series is tied 99-99, with the Hawks holding a 64-35 edge at home.
LAST MEETING — HAWKS 104, BUCKS 99 — BMO HARRIS BRADLEY CENTER (MIL, WI) — 3/24/13
It came down to the wire again in Milwaukee as Atlanta trailed 99-97 with under 40 seconds to play. A Josh Smith layup knotted things at 99 and the Hawks scored the final five points of the game, all from the free throw line, for 104-99 win. Al Horford led the way with 24 points and Smith had 23. Devin Harris scored 16 and Jeff Teague added 14. Monta Ellis was the top scorer for the home team with 20. Three Bucks had double-doubles on the night. Ersan Ilyasova (19 points/10 rebounds), Larry Sanders (15 points/12 boards) and Brandon Jennings (12 points/13 assists). Atlanta shot .500 FG% for the game, and knocked down 10-26 3FGs (.385) and 16-21 FTs (.762), while Milwaukee made .457 FG%, and hit 5-21 from distance (.238) and 10-18 from the stripe (.556). The Bucks had a 50-37 edge on the glass. The game featured 23 lead changes and 15 ties.
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Common Threads
Zaza Pachulia played in 74 games for Milwaukee in 2004-05. Devin Harris is a Milwaukee native (Wauwatosa East HS). Al Horford’s father Tito played for the Bucks from 1988-90, appearing in 60 games. Jim Boylan was an assistant coach with the Hawks in 2003-04. Kyle Korver and Lou Williams played with Samuel Dalembert in Philadelphia. Dahntay Jones and Mike Dunleavy were teammates at Duke, as well as with the Indiana Pacers. Joel Przybilla suited up for the Hawks in 2003-04 (12 games). Jeff Teague played with Ish Smith at Wake Forest.
Information was used from the Hawks and Bucks official gamenotes